Chicago’s Best Vegan Eats

*Updated 3/4/2018* Believe it or not, Chicago has a plethora of vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants. If you’re a Chicagoan, or a frequent visitor you’ll find some classics on this list, but you might find a few places you didn’t know about.

I’ve done some reorganizing to this post because I realize that many visitors don’t have time to eat at my twenty favorite places. It was painful, though, because this city has so much to offer the cruelty-free foodie!

If you’re a local and you think I missed something great, feel free to say so in the comments.**Note: I try to update this regularly, but if you’re in doubt please call ahead to make sure vegan options are still available at the omni places listed here. Also, follow me on Instagram to see where I’m eating today!**

Coming Soon/On My List:

These are places I haven’t tried yet either because they’re still on my to-do list or they aren’t open yet!

No Bones Beach Club – This Pacific Northwest fave featuring a coastal-inspired menu is coming this May to Wicker Park!

Lady Gregory’s – With locations in Andersonville and Old Town, this Irish Pub boasts a separate vegetarian menu with pretty many veganizable dishes.

Top Picks

These are the places that, in my opinion, you cannot miss. They range from absolute classics like The Chicago Diner to some sleepier gems that only true Chicagoans know about.

Alice and Friends – If it’s been awhile since you checked out this Uptown Korean-inspired spot, you need to go back. It’s no longer affiliated with Loving Hut, and as such, the ingredients are fresh, the dishes flavorful and creative and dare I say – healthy! Desserts are made in house, and the owner is maybe the nicest person alive.

Kāl’ish – Kāl’ish features all-day breakfast (with vegan eggs and everything!), killer burgers, and other quick-service faves like “tuna salad” and my favorite French fries in the whole city. Plus, a pastry case of housemade desserts, cakes from Pie, Pie My Darling and they even have ice cream cones!

Paulie Gee’s – Although this is an omni spot, Paulie Gee’s is a Chicago vegan cult favorite because they have an entire vegan pizza menu complete with housemade veggie sausage and two types of vegan cheese. They also offer vegan desserts from Pie, Pie My Darling and Temptation vegan ice cream – and, the owner has been super awesome to the vegan community, coming out to Veganmania and other events to show support and to learn about new options for his menu.

Duck Duck Goat – All of Top Chef champion Stephanie Izard’s restaurants have an entirely separate vegetarian and/or vegan menu. just ask when you’re being seated. Duck Duck Goat is my husband’s favorite place, all but 2-3 items on the vegetarian menu can be made vegan, and when we dined here recently there was even a vegan dessert option. You’ll need reservations for a Friday or Saturday so plan ahead!

Chicago Diner – Since 1983 The Diner has been serving up meat-free comfort foods in the city best known for Italian beef. I am obsessed with the Country Fried Steak, whereas my husband always goes for the Radical Reuben. You get a ton of food for your money, but don’t stuff yourself with dinner because you’re going to want to get a vegan shake at the end of the meal. Take my advice, and get the Cookie Dough Peanut Butter. Oh, and they also have beer, booze and a gluten-free menu. Oh, and did I mention that I got married there? Because I did. (Chicago Diner now has two locations – check the site to find them both.)

I heart vegan nachos. Try them at The Handlebar!

Quickies

These are mostly counter-service joints that offer quick, usually inexpensive, vegan options that are just as Instagrammable as the rest.

Upton’s Break Room – From the folks who brought you Upton’s seitan and jackfruit! In cooler weather when the patio isn’t an option seating can be limited, so I tend to order delivery or just stop in on off hours for vegan soft serve. The fried bacon mac n’ cheese is absolutely unreal and I appreciate how closely this company pays attention to ingredients making sure they are not only vegan, but also sustainably sourced.

Vegetarian Express – The Ravenswood location started selling items containing meat, so needless to say I’m bummed. Still, I hope that by buying their vegan options and ignoring those, they’ll see the light and go back to being vegetarian. After all, it’s in their name.

Quesadilla La Reyna del Sur – Super authentic vegan and vegetarian Mexican food for cheap. Seriously. If you’re a fake meat fan, this is your joint – fake goat, sheep, even pork skin – get it with your choice or dairy or vegan cheese in a quesadilla, huarache, taco or torta. Don’t worry, they also have soy-based chicken, beef, and other “normal” fake meats too. Not a fake meat fan? Try the mushroom, corn truffle or cactus. I usually go for the Veggie Cubana, which is soy-based Mexican sausage with soy bacon and soy-based chicken for $5.75! They also do a ton of fresh juices and vegan desserts too.

Delicious Cafe – I have a love-hate relationship with Delicious Cafe. I love that it’s all vegan, and that the breakfast sandwiches are delicious. But I hate that they don’t open until 8am, which is like two hours after I am in desperate need of coffee and breakfast! Still, it’s worth a trip to Lincoln Square to support this tiny little vegan coffee shop.

Vegan Now – From the people who brought you Soul Veg, this is a quick-service “by the pound” vegan soul food eatery inside the French market. Try the broccoli casserole! For dessert you can hit up RAW. (Check out my full vegan guide to the Chicago French Market!)

Moonlight Vulture – A late-night vegan sandwich shop in Avondale owned by the former owner of Atomix Cafe where I used to eat breakfast everyday when I was just a little baby vegan back in the early 2000’s. Lots of quick vegan options including desserts.

Veggie Grill – This fast-growing quick service chain just opened it’s first Chicago location in February with plans to open five more in the next few months.

Next door to Kalish, and owned by the same folks you’ll find Longacre, a Detroit-style pizza joint with plenty of vegan options including by-the-slice.

Even More Good Things

Peanut butter cookie dough shake from Chicago Diner

I told you this was really painful for me to organize because I love so many of these places! While My Top Picks are just that, these places also offer some gems on their menu that you should definitely check out if you have time.

The Chicago House of ‘Za – Chicago’s first all-vegan pizza joint featuring housemade cheese sticks (Mozzers), a deep dish-like stuffed pizza and lots of other pizza parlor classics made vegan.

Ground Control – Whereas most Chicago vegan/veggie joints have become institutions, Ground Control reminds me more of the quirky vegan restaurants in the Bay Area. My favorite dish is the Southern Breakfast, which you can get sans egg to make it vegan.

Handlebar – This mostly vegetarian (there are some fish items on the menu) place has grown it’s vegan options a lot since I originally created this post. My favorites are the nachos, avocado tacos, and for brunch, the biscuits and gravy. You can also get Pie, Pie My Darling funfetti cake by the slice for dessert.

Ask for it at the hostess stand!

Little Goat Diner – As I mentioned, all of the “goat” family of restaurants have a seperate vegetarian and/or vegan menu with some truly remarkable options. Little Goat is the less expensive, casual little sister of Girl and the Goat, and features some stand-outs such as the scallion pancake and the smoked French fries. You can even get a vegan chocolate shake!

Mushroom potstickers from Duck Duck Goat

Urban Vegan – When my favorite Thai restaurant started charging $1 extra for tofu and an additional $1 to omit fish sauce from their dishes, Urban Vegan was there for me. Most entrees squeeze in just under $10, and although there are combos available, I recommend sharing an app and getting your own entree. My favorite is the Praram’s Plate – if you’re a peanut sauce fan you’ll agree with me.

Arya Bhavan – I live really close to Devon Street, home to a dizzying array of Indian restaurants of all sorts. If you look hard enough, you’ll actually find a ton of great vegan options, but why bother hunting when you could just go to a 100% vegan Indian restaurant? On Monday nights Arya Bhavan offers a raw menu, and on Saturdays they have a vegan buffet. It gets pretty busy so plan accordingly!

Amitabul Vegan – Koren-inspired vegan food that’s a little off the beaten path, which means a super chill atmosphere. You might need to take a Lyft, or ask a friend with a car to take you, but it’s a good lunch spot if you make it out there.

Mana Food Bar – When I was vegetarian, I was obsessed with this small-plate restaurant, but as a vegan I admit it’s slightly frustrating that some of their best dishes cannot be made vegan. Still, it’s a cozy date spot in the heart of Wicker Park, and the staff is happy to point you in the right direction for vegan options.

Bot Bakery – In the South Shore neighborhood you’ll find an all-vegan and gluten-free spot owned by “Betty Bot,” a staple at Chicago farmers markets for years. The shop features desserts, of course, but also lots of lunch and brunch options.

Omnivore With Options

As much as I love all of Chicago’s exclusively vegetarian and vegan restaurants, I love finding hidden treasure even more. These are places that you can go with your omnivore friends, or go alone to show support for restaurants that offer us more than a salad.

Artwork by Betty Turbo

DönerMen is a food truck and now a tap (Dmen) featuring döner boxes and curry wurst galore. Let them know you’re vegan and they’ll hook it up – and whenever seitan is an option get it!

Budacki’s Drive In – I wish I had a video of the day my husband and I discovered this place that I could share with you. We were driving by when Tony thought he saw “veggie dogs” painted on one of the windows of this classic Chicago hot dog stand. He whipped the car around in a sweet Chicago-style U-turn and pulled into the parking lot. There it was, in bold painted letters, “We have veggie dogs.” When we made our way back for lunch the next day we were greeted with multiple $5 “Tree Hugger’s Specials.” Your choice of veggie dog with all the Chicago fixins, veggie burger or grilled cheese with fries and a pop for $5.

Artwork by Caged Tomato

Nhu Lan Bakery – Bánh mì oh my! (Sorry, I had to.) Bánh mì is the Vietnamese term for bread, and in the case of Nhu Lan Bakery, it’s a crusty French loaf sliced, and stuffed with crunchy veggies and amazing, pressed tofu. I’m obsessed with the lemongrass tofu, although the ginger tofu is also amazing. I did try the veggie pate and ham and wasn’t a fan, but god damn it, I’m just glad it exists! Did I mention that these gigantor sammies are under $5? Yeah, because that’s ridiculous.

90 Miles Cuban Cafe – We spend way too much time on the patio here in the summertime, but the vegan options are so good and it’s so close to our house! There are three locations so the likelihood of wandering by one is pretty high.

Yummy Yummy Asian Cuisine – Tons of gluten-based veggie options at this teeny Asian spot. I recommend take-out as it’s packed and chaotic inside. They’re open on Christmas, which is a life-saver for ill-prepared vegans such as myself.

Scone City – Scone City and I have had some epic battles. They recently started offering one vegan scone daily (they are AMAZING) but they make like, three at a time, so they sell out quickly. They will NOT hold them for you either so good luck. But if you get one, my god, you will be glad.

West Town Bakery & Diner – Lots of vegan options in the pastry case, and a few good ones on the menu, too. I love the biscuits and gravy with tofu when they make them with plain, unsweetened soy milk but I have been disappointed a few times when I could tell the biscuits were made with vanilla soy milk (so gross).

Do-Rite Donuts – Do-Rite offers one vegan flavor per day, and they bake them rather than frying them so there’s no chance of cross-contamination. My favorite is the pineapple donut they offer on Wednesday, but you might want to call ahead because the vegan options go fast.

Honorable Mentions

No shade whatsoever, I totally go to and enjoy all of these places. If you text me and are nearby any of them I will tell you to go there – they just didn’t quite fit into my Top Picks or other categories either because they aren’t totally unique to Chicago, or because they’re a little out of the way, or because of some other reason I can’t explain, leave me alone, this post was hard.

Vegan scoops at George’s Ice Cream & Sweets

Dairy Star – Technically not in Chicago, but close enough. Call ahead to make sure they have vegan soft serve the day you want to go, but if they do, my god… you’re welcome.

Star Lounge – Tony and I love Dark Matter coffee, and I loved them even more when I found out that their Star Lounge location offers the occasional vegan scone or pastry. I’d call ahead to be sure they aren’t sold out.

Whole Foods City – Our pet name for the Lincoln Park Whole Foods Market, one of the largest in the country. Tons of vegan options in their cafeteria including jackfruit tacos, veggie dogs, pizza by the slice and even vegan milkshakes.

El Faro – I honestly haven’t made my way down there in years, but they have tons of soy meat options for pretty cheap.

Pick Me Up Cafe – Open super late on weekends, and a good spot to grab brunch without having to face the two-hour wait you’ll find in Wicker Park or Logan Square.

The StopAlong – This is a family-friendly pizza spot in Bucktown with communal seating and a couple of videos games in the back. They have a few ready-to-go vegan options, or you can build a custom pizza with Follow Your Heart cheese.

Soul Vegetarian – We stopped going to Soul Veg a few years ago because the service is so unpredictable and the prices started getting pretty crazy – but I do hit up the Atlanta, GA location when I’m in town. If you’re in the neighborhood do stop in, and Google to see if there’s a Soul Veg near you because they have several locations.

There are two chain restaurants where a hungry vegan can find options – especially in downtown Chicago. Native Foods has several locations and while the food is all vegan and pretty decent, I’m not a huge fan due to a recent partnership with Shedd Aquaraium. I don’t like supporting a so-called vegan restaurant that promotes animal captivity as entertainment. Lyfe Kitchen also has a few locations, and they offer healthy vegan options – just ask for the vegan menu at the counter. True Food Kitchen is another chain, newer to Chicago, with healthy vegan options downtown.

Pop Ups

VeganMania – Once a year 5,000+ Chicago-area vegan gather for what has become a downright vegan expo. Tons of food vendors, plus access to vegan products and services you might not have known about.

Pie, Pie My Darling – Heather exploded onto Chicago’s vegan scene just over a year ago with her amazing vegan pies, cookies and cupcakes. She does all kinds of pop-ups so follow her on Facebook or Instagram to see where she is now!

Bravo Vegan Tamales – I always pick up a few extra to have for lunch the next day because they’re so good. My favorite is the “chicken” with red sauce.

Road Trip

Man oh man did I catch some shit from one Evanston (which is not Chicago) restaurant for classifying them here. Their response was so rude I actually un-listed them, so that backfired, huh? At any rate, these are options that might be a bit out of the way for folks who are visiting without a car – or Chicagoans like me who primarily get around on the El. But if you can catch a ride, they’re worth checking out.

Blind Faith Cafe – This was one of the first vegan/veggie restaurants I ever went to back in the Krishna-core days. After a Shelter show you could pretty much count on Soul Veg and Chicago Diner would be packed so those in-the-know would pile into cars and head out of the city to nearby Evanston for some Blind Faith yums. It was pricer than I could really afford back then, but nowadays it’s a good date spot and a nice place to bring my mom. If you eat in the sit-down restaurant, skip the plated dessert menu and order something from the bakery instead – like the Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake – dang.

I met Elvis at Chef Shangri-la

Pig Minds Brewing – I still cannot believe this place is real. About two hours outside of Chicago in a completely industrial area you will find this vegan brewery and wonder what the eff just happened. Soy curl sandwiches and deep fried pickles are some of my favorite menu items – but mostly I just love looking around at all the non-vegans happily eating vegan food in Machesney Park, IL like it ain’t no thang.

Chef Shangri-La – Depending on your starting point in the city, this 70’s tiki bar is about an hour drive, but well-worth it. The decor is Instagram-worthy to say the least, and they have a huge variety of veggie options, with all the vegan-friendly items clearly marked. I went on a Friday night for an Elvis impersonator and vowed to return often. *New ownership – please call to verify vegan options!

Palomino Bar – Ok now we’re talking a serious road trip, but if you happen to find yourself in Milwaukee this country-ish bar has some great vegan options and even better decor.

The Cheeze Factory – Once or twice a year we head out to the Wisconsin Dells for a weekend of go-karts, water parks and kitchy weirdness. We tend to survive on veggie dogs cooked in a bonfire for most of the trip, but we always make one stop at the somewhat confusingly-named Cheeze Factory. The menu is completely vegan (a lot of Gardein items available) and the staff is painfully nice, so we love to stop in and support the only vegan restaurant that could possibly survive The Dells.

Shopping & Services

My bob is so fancy they call it a Robert.

Starship Salon – At Starship Salon all of the products are cruelty-free, and you can opt for an all-vegan service (just ask). It’s vegan-owned, and many of the employees are vegan so there’s always good chatter about new things to eat. They offer Dark Matter coffee every day, and many times on the weekends they have treats for guests like vegan donuts.

Lena Rose – This brand-new spot in Ravenswood is my new go-to for cruelty-free skincare, cosmetics and spa treatments. Some of the products they carry do contain honey, but the owner Jenny is very knowledgeable about veganism, and can direct you to all the 100% plant-based items. Plus, they offer 5-free no-chip manicures, pedicures and lots of other pampering treatments.

Flair – New to Logan Square! From the vegan dynamo behind Sabretooth Dream and the co-founder of the Girl Pin Gang, a vegan-friendly shop featuring flair, vintage clothing, kitchy housewares and pop-ups.

So there you have it – the vegan-friendly places I recommend time and time again. Did I leave your favorite off the list? Feel free to leave a comment about it! Do you own a vegan-friendly business in Chicago? Hit up my Contact page to tell me about it.

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32 Comments

I have to post twice in a row like a goon to say that the lemongrass tofu spring rolls at Nhu Lan are also really good. An order of those can be a meal…or an appetizer. No judgments.

Thaddeus
on March 8, 2012 at 11:18 am

Also, Dawali’s olive oil is good enough to drink.

Dis Guy
on March 8, 2012 at 1:06 pm

Boiler Room – Has vegan cheese pizza, and a bunch of different uptons options for the pie including bacon! ANNND if you use the ATM there (theyre cash only) you can trade your receipt for a shot at the bar.

Miranda
on March 8, 2012 at 9:44 pm

Most of my favorites were on the list! I’ll also throw Kuma’s Corner out there. Famous for its metal music and hardcore burgers, people are shocked when I tell them that they have the best veggie burger I’ve ever had. The made to order Mac n’ Cheese is great, too. No vegan options though, so only bring your lacto-ovo friends.

And Quesadilla may not look like much from the outside, but it has amazing Mexican food! Delicious and with very easy and free parking on Western.

Ricky Blue
on March 9, 2012 at 11:49 am

I love Soul Veg but my favorite is Victory’s Banner.

CK
on March 9, 2012 at 6:14 pm

I’d also add Yummy Yummy Asian Cuisine to the list. They have a large vegetarian selection, and their fake meat (“soy gluten”) is awesome.

Yay! I’m glad Loving Hut made the list. I loved Alice & Friends and while I’m no longer up that way all that often, I still stop in Loving Hut. I also always sing Lindsey Buckingham’s “Loving Cup” with re-worked Loving Hut lyrics when I’m there. No, nobody else will get that, either.

Paula Hess
on August 24, 2012 at 6:36 am

Melisser, are you thinking of Amitabul? Is that technically a Korean restaurant? Whatever it is, it’s good.

Alice
on January 4, 2013 at 10:20 am

Check out the 90-mile Cuban cafe right near Twisted Scissors hair salon. They have amazing veggie options that I was surprised to find there. Also, I’m a big fan of the veggie options at Hai Yen and pretty much any Indian restaurant on Devon, though Arya Bhavan in particular caters to not only vegans/vegetarians, but also raw foodists.

Melissa
on January 4, 2013 at 2:31 pm

Actually Boiler Room pizza isn’t vegan. The dough has honey in it. Unless they have changed the recipe in the past few months. It’s a bummer cause going for their PB&J was my favorite.

yes! yes! & yes! LOVE Urban Vegan LOVE Quesadilla La Reyna del Sur …NEVER been to Budacki’s. How have I never heard of this place that serves vegan hot dogs?? My BF is going to DIE when I take him to that place!!!

If you ever want to take a road trip for damn good vegan food, check out the Unity Cafe in Phoenix, IL. Oh, and do you ever go to Soul Vegetarian??

Kris
on September 25, 2013 at 6:44 am

Great list! I also recommend Flying Saucer in Humboldt Park for brunch.

Sandy
on February 27, 2016 at 8:46 pm

Green Zebra, while pricey, is the only high-end veggie place to go. Too bad it’s becoming more omni, but that’s ok. The food is still very good. As for Streeterville, I’d like to add LYFE Kitchen, D4 pub, and yes, Grand Luxe Cafe. There’s also this hidden place called Ikram, that’s a boutique with a cafe in it. The chef is very accommodating, which is great.

cynthia
on February 29, 2016 at 9:35 am

Loving Hut in Edgewater has new owners and a new name: Alice and Friends:)

Alex
on March 1, 2016 at 5:47 am

Dragonlady Lounge makes amazing and super cheap vegan Korean food.

Green Zebra and Manna make great high end veggie food.

Rickshaw Republic has an entire vegan Indonesian menu and makes a vegan rijstaffel.

It sounds funny, but Flat Top Grill is the easiest big chain to do vegan. Massive options and everything labeled and separate pans available.

Urban Vegan is now Vegan Plate (on Fullerton). The tom yum soup is the best soup in the world.

Chowpatti in Arlington Heights is awful.

Le Pain Quoditien has awesome vegan options, particularly for breakfast and baked goods. They are not to be missed.

Best vegan cookies are Hillary’s cookies. I go to her store and drool over all the cookie jars. They are truly delicious.

Amitabul is so great, and different from anything else in the city. Worth the trek northwest.
If you’re traveling and downtown, chain places like Blaze Pizza and any Middle Eastern or South Asian place is a good bet– Benjyahud is my favorite.
And I’ll second Ikram for a fancy lunch place. Tiny menu, but they do amazing salads (you will won friends with these salads) and the chef is accommodating.
Also, obvious, but Mana and Green Zebra are great fancyish date night spots.

El Indio on 63rd near Pulaski if you need to eat before or after Midway Airport. They have a section of vegan stuff on the menu. The vegan chik’n comes with a spicy af green salsa. Omg. It’s incredible. Free chips and salsa and pickled veggies. We were there one night when there was a guy playing guitar and singing. The building has a parking lot.

Lydia
on March 16, 2017 at 11:03 am

I am currently craving the experience of someone bringing me a large plate of vegan pancakes… and the only place I’ve found so far that serves them is Flying Saucer in Humboldt Park. Not a veg place but lots of good options there! Also… are there more vegan pancakes in this city?? Please help. (On another note, add paulie gee’s logan square to your list! they serve amazing vegan pizza.)

Pick Me Up has vegan pancakes, so does Kalish. You can also get them at Heartland Cafe. I love Paulie Gee’s adding them now!

Mary
on May 11, 2017 at 7:14 pm

Just came across this post. If you ever do an update, you might consider adding Native Foods. I like their food although, for my taste, they don’t change their menu very often and some of their specials are hit and miss.

Owen
on May 22, 2017 at 12:45 pm

Had the best Vegan Chicago experience thanks to this list. Currently sitting in the Little Goat and happy as clams. Thank you!